The office is accorded legitimacy by Chapter IV of the Constitution of Barbados.[2] The governor-general is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of Barbados.[3][4] The governor-general exercises executive powers and who assents to bills in the monarch's name before they can become promulgated into law.[5] The Barbados constitution limits the powers of the governor-general (known as a constitutional monarchy system of governance).[6] This effectively limits the powers of the Queen, as it does the governor-general, who, in most instances, exercises authority on the advice of the prime minister or other persons or bodies within Barbados.[7]

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The Queen, on the advice of the prime minister, appoints a governor-general to be her representative in Barbados.[8][9] Both the Queen and the governor-general hold much power of the country, though it is rarely used unilaterally; it is usually only used in such a way in emergencies and in some cases war.[10]

The governor-general represents the Queen on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of parliament and the presentation of honours and military parades. Under the constitution, the governor-general is given authority to act in some matters; for example, in appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service, granting "any person convicted of any offence against the laws of Barbados a pardon",[11] and in proroguing parliament. But, in only a few cases is the governor-general empowered to act entirely on his own discretion.

The Governor-General of Barbados also chairs the Privy Council of Barbados.